Occupations are an important tool for the family history researcher. They help us to identify the same person when there are others in the same record by the same name. They help us to understand our ancestors’ life circumstances.

Occupations were also a measure of social status. Some trades were viewed as more prestigious than others. For example, goldsmiths had more prestige than shoemakers. Many trades, such as butchers, tanners, shoemakers, tailors, and others were organized into guilds, which were in charge of training apprentices and regulating a trade's practice in an area.

This occupational word list is under construction. As of February 2013 there are over 800 occupations listed. The intention is to improve this list over time. Keep in mind there are some words that do not have a good English translation. See the references at the bottom of the page for all the sources used in building this list.

baron is a title used later for friherrar. Between 1626 and 1719 the nobility was divided into three classes. Friherrar belonged to the second class, yet still considered high nobility. After the dismantlement of the classes, the friherrar continued as nobility (some titled, others not) with a coat of arms.

If you are researching an ancestor who worked as a smith, see: Smedskivan

tiggare

beggar

timmerhuggare

timber cutter

timmerman

carpenter, builder

tingsskrivare

copyist of court cases

tjuv

thief

tjänare

servant

also means domestic, menial worker, or attendant

tjänstehjon

servant, menial work

see tjänare

tobakshandlare

tobacco merchant

tobaksspinnare

tobacco spinner

tolvman

se nämdeman

tornväktare

tower watch

torpare

cottager, tenant farmer, peasant

This term can have different meanings according to where you are in the country. In southern Sweden it means a farmer who is dependent on another farm (like a tenant farmer.) In northern Sweden it is more likely that the torpare owned his little farm.

tresserska

braider, plaiter

trikotstickerska

tricot knitter,

a woman who knits tricot fabric

trummare

drummer

tryckare

printer, pressman

trädgårdsmästare

gardener

tullbetjänt

customs officer

tulltjänsteman

customs officer

tullvaktmästare

landing waiter

tunnbindare

barrelmaker, cooper

tunnelarbetare

tunneller

tvättare

male launderer, washerman

tvätterska

washerwoman

tvättgumma

washerwoman

tältmakare

tent maker

ullfärgare

wool dyer

ullhandlare

wool merchant, trader in wool

underlöjtnant

sub lieutenant

underofficer

non comissioned officer

underståtthållare

sub governor, deputy sheriff

urmakare

watch and clockmaker

vagnmakare

cartwright, carriage maker

vagnmästare

wagon master

vaktare

keeper, warder, guard, watcher

vaktmästare

caretaker

vallflicka

shepherd girl, girl tending cattle, shepherdess

valkare

fuller, miller

vallhjon

a person tending cattle in the field

vandrare

wanderer, rambler, stroller, tramper

vapendragare

squire, esquire

vedhuggare

wood cutter

vice häradshövding

see häradshövding

vicepastor

curate

a clergyman in charge of a parish, or an assistant to the clergyman in charge of a parish